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Johnson, Corley Selected for WNBA Pre-Draft Camp

BERKELEY - California senior guards Courtney Johnson and Kenya Corley have been selected to participate in the WNBA Pre-Draft Camp in Chicago, April 5-7, at the Moody Bible Institute. The WNBA Pre-Draft Camp offers coaches and general managers the opportunity to evaluate the skills of prospective players prior to the WNBA Draft, which takes place April 20.

'I'm happy that they both were rewarded by getting invitations to the WNBA combine,' said Cal coach Caren Horstmeyer. 'If they play their games, there are coaches that are going to see how valuable they are to a team. I believe the WNBA is going to be looking for some guards this year. I am excited for the leadership that Courtney gives and the intense ability she has to compete. There are a number of teams she can add to from a point guard/two guard perspective. With Kenya, she has been one of the most incredible athletes in the Pac-10. She has the athleticism of many WNBA players and can compete at that level and do very well.'

Johnson, a product of Antioch, Calif., earned first team All-Pac-10 honors after putting together a stellar all-around senior year. She leads the Pac-10 in steals (3.18 spg) and ranks among the league's statistical leaders in scoring (6th, 15.2 ppg), assists (9th, 3.54 apg) and assist-turnover ratio (9th, 0.97). Her career-best 15.2 ppg average is the best by a Cal player since Patrycja Czepiec averaged 15.9 ppg in 1996-97.

A three-year captain, Johnson concluded her California career ranked 12th in school history with 1077 points and second in school and Pac-10 history with 286 steals. She also stands among the Bears career leaders for free throws made (7th, 271), free throws attempted (9th, 388), three-pointers made (9th, 50) and three-pointers attempted (7th, 233).

'We were scared to open them [our letters],' said Johnson of the invitations to the draft camp. 'Once we opened them, we were just thrilled. All this time while we've been working out, we've been telling ourselves that if we get there, then we'll do the rest. Now, we have the opportunity to prove that we're good players.'

Corley earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 recognition for her career year with the Bears. The Lancaster, Calif., native is second on the Bears and 12th in the conference with a career-best 12.8 ppg average. She also ranks ninth in the league for free throw percentage at 72.6 percent. Corley led the Bears in scoring in eight games this season, including a career-high 25 points in Cal's 58-57 win at UCLA (Feb. 4). In Cal's career record books, she's tied for 10th for three-pointers made (43) and ranks 10th for three-pointers attempted (162).

'We were both expecting the worst but hoping for the best,' said Corley. 'We were so nervous. My hands were sweating [before opening the invitation]. I want to be able to say that when the camp is done, that I played my best. I want to go out there and show them what I can do.'

Cal finished the 2000-01 season with a 12-16 record and tied for sixth in the Pac-10 with an 8-10 mark.